Craig Daily Press / Faith

Linda Taylor: I do, now pass the remote

As I sit with my husband watching television, I’m thinking surely there is something better to watch. All of the sudden the television becomes silent, and my husband does, too. I realize he’s fallen asleep, and then he wakes up long enough to mute the television before nodding off again. Now I’m watching a show I’m not interested in as I try to read their lips. Frustrated, I start looking for the remote, and I see it’s resting under his hand.

Colo. church moves toward leaving denomination

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) — The 4,000-member First Presbyterian Church in Colorado has taken another step toward leaving its denomination. KRDO-TV reports (http://bit.ly/xBWP3B) 80 percent of the Colorado Springs congregation on Sunday voted in favor of proceeding with efforts to leave the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Senior Pastor Jim Singleton cited disagreements with the denomination's direction, including a decision last year to allow the ordination of gay and lesbian clergy in committed relationships. Church leaders are expected to vote this summer on whether to allow ministers to officiate at same-sex weddings.

Douglas: Come home

Anyone who has been around church very much is probably familiar with the story Jesus told about “The Prodigal Son” in Luke 15. Let me offer a few questions and observations about the father in the story. Was this a wise father? When approached by his younger son with a very odd request for their culture the father considered the request for his inheritance and gave his younger son his portion, but also his elder son his inheritance as well. Why didn’t the father plead with his son to stay home when he found out he was leaving? I believe this father was not one to force his will upon his son, or on anyone else he loved. He just relied on the teaching and guidance he himself had instilled in him and trusted that his son would make wise decisions.

Briefs for February 17: Father, daughter ball tonight

Craig Christian Church, 960 W. Victory Way, hosts a father and daughter ball from 6:30 to 9 p.m. today. The event costs $7 per person. Tickets can be purchased at the door or in advance at the church office. The ball is open to all fathers and daughters. For more information, call 824-6024.

Bohrer: No harm in asking

I am personally kind of a dreamer. Sometimes I like to allow my mind to wonder a little bit and like a child begin to think of the impossible. As I begin to study the word of God I find more and more that when our prayers and dreams line up with God’s plan, the impossible can become possible. “But Jesus beheld [them], and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26). We understand that this scripture is talking about salvation. The question was just asked to Jesus “who can be saved”. The scripture states a truth that all followers of Christ need to understand.

Hayden church group preparing for April mission trip to Joplin, Mo.

One of the worst tornados in American history ripped apart the small Midwestern town of Joplin, Mo., in May 2011. Laura Corriveau, a radiologist and member of Hayden Congregational Church, was sent to Joplin in the aftermath as part of a government task force. Her job was to X-Ray and identify bodies and body parts. News of the tornado’s destruction resonated with Corriveau and other church congregation members. “As soon as I heard that, it just spoke to our hearts,” HCC Pastor Janet Babish said. “I knew that as soon as there was a mission trip available, we would organize something to send people down there.”

Pastor Karen Gibson: Friendship, love and self-sufficiency

I had just finished sending an email asking someone for forgiveness. The reason I had to ask for forgiveness was because of my weakness in thinking I don’t need help. Why is it we become so independent and prideful that we exclude others from our lives, and would rather live in this world by ourselves? It’s almost like we don’t like to share. We don’t want to share the recognition, joy, or blessing of whatever God has given us with anyone else. As children we were all taught to learn and develop independence. Dressing ourselves, feeding ourselves, walking, and tying our shoes were some of the activities we were taught to do.

Pastor Len Browning: Evidence of grace

The church at Antioch in Syria, 300 miles north of Jerusalem, was among the first Christian churches established outside of the Jerusalem area and one of the first to have Gentile convert members. The gospel reached Antioch in the dispersion of Jesus’ disciples due to their persecution in Jerusalem. There are two interesting statements made about this church found in Acts 11. First, we are told that when Barnabas, the Apostle, visited this church he witnessed, or saw the evidence of, the grace of God. The “grace of God” is the undeserved favor of God and therefore unseen, similar to love or hate. How can anyone “see” the grace of God?

My confession (and hopeful repentance) of privilege

In the fall, I went back to my college alma mater for the first time in eight years. When I returned I was surprised about how God spoke to me during that trip, and it’s an important lesson I’d like share. The reason I returned to my school was my cross country and track coach, the coach there for 27 years, officially “retired” in the fall. But, unofficially and off-the-record, he was asked to step down. I was extremely upset and disappointed in how the situation was handled by the administration.

Never stop looking for your miracle

With the many hardships happening around us, I thought it would be nice to share a story about Shawn, a 16-year-old young man who was diagnosed with leukemia, and his miracle. I pray it will bless you and allow you to see there are still miracles happening today. This occurred during my ministry in Arizona. With excitement in the air, it was time to load our suitcase into the limousine and head to the airport. Shawn, Maggie, Chris and myself were about to experience how God answers prayer.

Kate Grobe: The lasting gift of a difficult decision

I’ve often been asked what I do at Yampa Valley Pregnancy Center. My volunteers and I get to meet people and help during difficult times. We get to hear life stories and get to know people who come to us. It’s that process of getting to know people and hearing so many stories that can be challenging and yet rewarding.

Craig teen writes, directs church Christmas play

Grace. The word is an important part of any Christian church, and it’s an element of faith Janna Thompson wants people to associate with the holiday season. “It’s the greatest gift, better than any Christmas present,” Thompson said. But, rather than telling people about the importance of God’s grace, she’ll be showing them. Thompson is the writer and director of “We Three Nails,” a Christmas play set to debut at 6 p.m. Sunday at The Journey at First Baptist Church, 1150 W. Ninth St.

Pastor Tim Douglas: It’s Christmas, but there’s no reason to keep these secrets

Christmas is a time when families gather and enjoy time catching up on what’s been happening in their lives. Of course, there is also the giving and receiving of gifts from family, friends, and co-workers. Christmas also is a time for keeping secrets. We’ve learned in our family that some can keep a secret and some find it very difficult. My teenage daughter will never be a spy for the government. I think I figured out why she has such difficulty keeping a secret — it’s because she doesn’t want a secret kept from her. In today’s column, I want to share about two secrets that should never be kept.

Tony Bohrer: You’re his masterpiece

Michelangelo’s masterpiece, David, is enshrined at the Galleria dell’Accademia in Florence, Italy. Thousands of tourists wait for hours every day to get a glimpse. But, many of them hardly notice the series of unfinished sculptures that line the corridor on the way to David. Like petrified prisoners, their forms are identifiable — a hand here, a torso there, a protruding leg or part of a head. The statues were intended to adorn the tomb of Pope Julius II, but they are not finished. It’s almost as if these sculptures are trying to break free and become what they were intended to be, but they are stuck in stone. Michelangelo called them “captives.” They are captives precisely because they did not receive enough “chiseling” from the master.

The Rev. Michael Rapp: Being secular is easy …

Tim Tebow gets a lot of press for talking about Jesus. Some say he’s the hero of Christian witness professional sports has been missing, some say it’s all fake and he’s just stirring up his own celebrity in a niche market, and some say he should be censored because it’s all annoying at best, if not downright offensive to shamelessly promote religion in the public square. “Don’t be fooled by good sports or a cheerful personality… he’s that guy,” dissenters say. He is that guy.